A year after leading Peabody to its first LHSAA home playoff win in football, Benny Vault and the school will be going in a different direction.

Vault was relieved of his coaching duties Tuesday after three seasons with the Warhorses — going 15-17 from 2015-2017. Per Peabody Magnet principal Janie Henagan, Vault will stay on the school's staff as a teacher.

"They wanted to go in a new direction," Vault said. "I asked them to tell me what I did wrong so I can get it corrected for my next gig and I won't repeat the same mistake, but they just said they wanted to go in a new direction. I respect that."

Peabody limped to a 2-8 record this season, but went 8-4 in 2016 despite Vault missing a game to tend to his late wife, LaDonna, who was battling cancer. She passed away during the 2017 offseason after her bout.

Despite the heavy heart, Vault led his team to a 41-33 comeback victory against St. James in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.

In 2015, Peabody went 5-5 and made the playoffs despite having a win against Winnfield deemed a no contest because of an in-game fight between the teams.

Vault is unsure if he will go back into coaching next season or if he will take a season off.

"I think I'll probably take a year or so off and just try to get my mind right," Vault said. "(I want to) re-energize myself so I can love the game again."

Prior to his stint at Peabody, Vault was the coach at Block from 2007-2014 — going 59-39 and making the playoffs each season with the Bears.